Motion picture camera



Feb. 21, 1939. T, w KIRKMAN 2,148,076

4! I MOTION PICTURE CAMERA Filed Oct. 7, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Zm'ventor attorneys Feb. 21, 1939.

T. w. KIRKMAN 2,148,076

MOTION PICTURE CAMERA 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 7, 1936 97 Znventor Qttorncgs Patented F eb. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE '7 Claims.

This invention relates to motion picture cameras.

Most motion picture cameras are provided with footage indicators which show at all times approximately how many feet of unexposed film still remain in the camera; When a motion picture camera is being operated, the photographer continuously views the scene he desires to photograph by sighting through the usual view finder pro 10 vided on the camera. Hence, while he is operating the camera, the photographer cannot observe the film footage indicator to determine exactly when the film is used up. Therefore, should the unexposed portion of the film become exhausted 16 while the camera is in operation, the operator is not apprised of this fact until the camera is stopped and the footage indicator inspected.

The operator, under these circumstances, is uncertain as to the particular stage of the scene, act 20 or event just photographed at which the film gave out, and cannot determine how much of the desired picture was recorded on the film until it is developed and the picture inspected. Should. it prove that less than the desired action has been 88 photographed, disappointment and loss to the photographer result, because oftentimes it is impossible to retake a scene, act or event except on a particular date or at a particular time.

The primary purpose of the present invention 80 is to overcome the above-mentioned difiiculties by providing a motion picture camera having simple and effective means for indicating instantly to a photographer operating the camera whenever recording cf the picture ceases due to exhaustion of 88 the unexposed portion of the film. Thus, the operator knows definitely that the last view observed at the time the indicatoin or signal was given is the last scene that will appear upon the film when developed. He may then insert a new 40 film in the camera and retake the entire scene, act, or event, if desired, or he may take such photographs as are necessary to complete the desired picture.

Another important object is the provision of 45 means for indicating more accurately than do the usual footage indicators, when the unexposed portion of the film is exhausted.

A further object is the designing of the camera, the film and the indicating means so that, when- 60 ever the operator receives an indication that the film is used up during operation of the camera, he will be assured that the last scene observed by him at the time the signal was given, will appear clearly on the film when it is developed. In other .5, words, he will know the exact point up to which the film will provide a proper recording of the action, and hence he can immediately determine whether a complete retake or merely additional photographs are necessary.

The accompanying drawings disclose several practical embodiments of the invention wherein:

Figure 1 represents a side elevation of one form of motion picture camera with a film in place and the camera cover removed to show the film exhaustion indicating means in non-indicating position.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2--2 of Fig. 1, with the film and the indicator stop omitted.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. l, with certain parts omitted for sake of clearance and the film shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation at another type of motion picture camera to which the invention has been applied, the camera finder being shown in operative position, and the camera casing broken away to reveal the indicator actuating means.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the camera of Fig. 4, with the parts in the same position.

Fig. 6 is a perspective of a modified form of the film exhaustion indicating means of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a modified form of the actuating means for the indicating means of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a special type of film which may be used with either the camera of Fig. l or that of Fig. 4.

In the form of camera appearing in Figs. 1-3 of the drawings, II is the camera casing, I2 the lens assembly, and I3 the film. The film extends from the unexposed film or full reel l4 through the film feeding mechanism, including sprocket wheel l6, past the lens at l5, back to sprocket wheel l6, and thence onto the exposed film or empty reel l'l.

Sprocket wheel l6 has a spindle l8, and exposed film reel I! has a spindle l 9, both of which extend through partition 2| of the case into compartment 22 where they are suitably driven by the usual spring motor (not shown). The film and camera parts when in operation move in the directions indicated by the arrows in the several figures to feed the film from reel ll, past the lens, and thence to reel l'l. Associated with sprocket I6 is the usual set of four guide rollers 23, 24, 25 and 26 which serve to maintain the teeth 21 of the sprocket wheel in film holes 28 so that the film is fed properly past the lens. Each guide roller is mounted on a stud 29 supported by partition 2|.

The view finder for this type of camera extends through the motor compartment 22. The finder 2 amen-re is in the form of a tapered tube 3| connecting a peep-hole or lens 32 at the rear of the cera with a lens frame 33 at the front of the camera.

The film exhaustion indicating means will now be described. Mounted for rotation in an opening in partition 2| is a shaft 34. A plate 36 is rigidly secured at 31 to the outer end of shaft 33. A spacer sleeve 33 is provided on shaft 34 between plate 33 and partition 2|. The inner end of shaft 34 has an arm 39, fixed thereon, which carries a pin 46 at its outer end. A spacer sleeve 4|, having an end fiange 32, is mounted on shaft 34 between partition 2| and arm 39. Mounted under tension on sleeve 4| is a light, coil spring 43 having one and bearing against pin 44 on partition 2| and its other end against arm 39, as shown in Fig. 1. Thus spring 43 continuously tends to rotate shaft 34 so as to move plate 36 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. l.

A horizontal stud 45 on one of the outer corners of plate 36 carries a roller 46. Because of the action of spring 43, roller 46, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, normally bears with yieldable pressure against that portion of film l3 which extends between guide roller 23 and a similar guide roller 41. This roller also is carried by a stud 29 on partition 2|. With this arrangement, it

. will be clear that roller 46 in no way interferes with feeding of the film during operation of the camera. However, when the unexposed portion of the film on reel i4 becomes exhausted and the end of the film leaves the reel, immediately upon passage of this end of the film from between rollers 23 and 41, plate 36 swings under the urge of spring 43 so that roller 46 passes between rollers 23 and 43. This movement is limited by engagement of roller 46 with stop plate 48, shown in Fig. 1. Plate 48 is secured at 49 to partition 2|. A finger piece 56 permits the plate and roller 46 to be swung back out of the way against the resistance of spring 43 suificient= ly to permit insertion of a new film.

A small, reciprocatory shutter 5| is located in motor chamber 22 and is pivotally connected at 52 to pin 40 on arm 39. The outer end of shutter 5| projects'freely through guide slot 53 in a bracket 54 secured to the wall of the camera. Finder tube 3| is transversely slotted at 55 (Fig. 1), whereby to receive the outer end of shutter 5| so as to cut oil the view through the finder. The parts are so proportioned and arranged that; as long as there is unexposed film on reel 4 and, hence, roller 46 and plate 36 remain in the normal, inoperative position of Fig. 1 because of engagement of roller 46 with the film, shutter 52 will not project into slot 55 in the viewfinder. However, as soon as the unexposed film is exhausted and the passage of the end of the film past roller 46 permits plate 36 and arm 39 to swing under the urge of spring 43, shutter 5| is projected into the view finder tube to interrupt the operators view therethrough.

It will thus be seen that the means decribed coact directly with the film itself in such a manner that when the end of the film passes a predetermined point, i. e., roller 46, shutter 5| instantly shuts off the ,view through the camera finder. Thus the photographer, whilestill operating the camera, is instantly notified that the film has been used up and knows that the last view observed through the finder is the last scene that will appear on the film when developed. Upon insertion of a new film, a complete retake may be made or only such additional action may be photographed as is necessary to complete the picture.

A further advantage resides in the accuracy of the indication furnished by the described means as to when the end of the film is reached. as compared with the approximate indication of film exhaustion furnished bjthe conventional footage indicators now in use. Most of the latter contact with the outside convolution of the film on the reel and depend upon the thickness of the film on the reel to indicate when the film is exhausted. Obviously, such devices give only a comparatively rough indication as to when the end of the film is reached. The present device on the contrary gives a definite signal which is an accurate indication as to when the film is exhausted, since it is operated instantly by passage of the end of the film itself past a predetermined point between the film reels and in close proximity to the lens.

In inserting a new film, plate 36 and roller 46 are held back by finger piece 50, as explained, thereby causing arm 39 to withdraw shutter 5| from view finder tube 3|. A short section of the new film on full reel I4 is now unwound and threaded between rollers 23 and 41 on one side and roller 46 on the other side. Finger piece 56 is then released to permit spring 43 to swing plate 36, and thus press roller 46 against the film and the film in turn against rollers 23 and 41. Threading of the film is then continued in the usual manner around sprocket l6, rollers 24, 25 and 26, and thence to empty reel II. The camera is now ready for further use, the shutter 5| being retained out of the line of vision of the operator through the view finder until the film in the camera is again exhausted.

The camera of Figs. 4 and 5 has the usual unexposed film reel 54 from which film i3 is fed to the exposed film reel past the lens at 115, by film feeding sprocket wheel I6 and the film receiving wheel. Associated with sprocket wheel it are the usual guide rollers 23, 24, 25 and 26. In this type of camera the view finder is located on top of casing The finder comprises a lens holder 56 pivoted at 51 at the front of the'camera, and a channel-shaped, peep-hole lens holder 58, having a base portion 56', pivotally mounted at the rear of the camera. Thus the parts of the finder may be folded down against the camera when not in use.

A plate 59 secured to the top of the casing has awell portion 6| depending through an opening 62 in the casing. Mounted on plate 59 is the film exhaustion indicating means and the peep-hole frame 58. Perforated ears 63, 63 are provided on the lower ends of the sides of frame 58. These ears aline with perforated ears 65,65 on plate 59 and receive short rivets 66, 66 whereby frame 58 is pivotally mounted in place. Frame 53 also has a pair of perforated ears 61, 61 carrying a cross pin 68 for a purpose explained later.

Plate 59 has an upstanding hollow portion 69 openingat its underside into the interior of the camera. Rotatably mounted in openings in walls l6, E6 of hollow portion 69 is a cross shaft A crank 12 rigidly secured to this shaft at 13 extends downwardly into the camera. A finger 714 on the lower end of crank 12 normally rests on the film at E5, being continuously urged downwardly by a light, leaf spring l6 secured to the casing at T! and bearing atits free end against the upper edge of crank 72.

by which it is secured at 18 to partition 2|. Edge portions 88 and 8| of member 18 form spaced guiding elements for the film between which finger 14 on crank 12 may drop freely the instant the end of the film on reel l4 passes beneath finger 14. Bottom wall 82 of member 18 acts as a stop to limit downward movement of finger 14 and crank 12. When finger I! drops, shaft II is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 4) by crank 12.

The outer end of shaft II is rotatably supported in perforated ear 88 on plate l8. Located in well 6| is a channel-shaped crank. Shaft ll extends through and is keyed in perforated ears 88, 86 on one end of crank 84, thrrsforming a bell crank in conjunction with crank 12. A cross pin 86 mounted in the sides of crank 84 at its outer end forms a pivotal connection with the lower, tubular end 88 of a small shutter 81. The upper end of this shutter extends freely between the sides of peep-hole frame 68 with its upper edge normally located Just below peep-hole 88 so as not to project into the line of vision through the view finder. Pin 68 insures retention of shutter 81 in operative position.

With the parts in the operative position of Fig. 4, the camera may be run in the usual manner with the photographer sighting through the view finder. As soon as the end of the film is reached, finger 14 drops into guide member 18 under the action of spring 16, and through the action of the parts described, shutter 81 is elevated to cut on the view through the finder. Thus, as with the construction of Figs. 1 to 3, the operator receives an accurate indication of the last scene photographed at the time the film ran out. In inserting a new film, crank 84 is depressed, thereby lowering shutter 81 below peephole 88 and raising finger 14. This permits threading of the film into place, as already described. Crank 84 is then released and the parts assume the normal position of Fig. 4, with finger l4 resting on the film at 16 and the camera ready for continued use.

It is important to note that with the construction described the film exhaustion indicating means proper are located outside of the camera and the actuating means therefor are inside of the camera, but that no openings are present through which light might penetrate, and thereby damage the film. When the camera is not in use, view finder frame 56 may be folded down, as may also peep-hole frame II, without interference with the film exhaustion indicating mechanism. This is permitted by the free sliding arrangement of shutter 81 in finder frame 58 and its pivotal connection 86 to crank 84. As finder frame 58 is folded down its base portion 68' acts on shutter 81 to swing it downwardly towards crank 84. Retaining pin 88 is arranged to per mit this movement, but also is in position to swing shutter 81 upwardly when frame 68 is moved to the position-of Fig. 4.

In the modified arrangement of Fig. 6, the functions of retaining pin 68 of Fig. 4 are performed by a light, coil spring 88. mounted on the tubular end 88 of shutter 81. One end of the spring bears against the shutter and the other end against crank 84 so as to yieldably maintain the shutter in the position shown. This permits the necessary up and down movement of the shutter in frame 68 to cover and uncover peep-hole 88. It also permits the necessary pivotal movement when frame 88 is folded down.

The spring automatically restores the shutter to the position of Fig. 6 when frame 58 is raised.

In the modification of Fig. 7, the arrangement is similar to that of Fig. 4, but guide member 18 is replaced by a pair of spaced film guide rollers 80 and 8|, and a roller 82 replaces finger 14 on crank 12. A plate 88, similar to plate 48 of Fig. 1, serves as a stop for roller 82.

Fig. 8 illustrates a modified form of film II which may be used with any of the film exhaustion indicating arrangements shown in the drawings in order definitely to assure the operator that the last scene observed through the view finder at the instant the view finder shutter closed, will be clearly recorded on the film when developed.

This film is provided with a special inner end portion adapted to actuate the indicator shutter in the view finder a slight interval before the inner extremity of the film reaches the indicator actuating means. Film [8 is the same as standard film i3, except for a notch 84 near the extremity 85 of the unexposed portion of the film on reel l4. Notch 84 extends at 86 at right angles to edge 87 of the film, then along the middle of the film at 88, and then inclines at 88 to film edge 81. Use of this special end film l3 will be described only in connection with the indicator mechanism of Figs. 1 to 3, since its mode of operation with the several forms of indicator mechanism shown is the same.

With the camera in operation, the instant edge 86 of film notch 84 passes roller 46, the roller is free to swing under the influence of spring 43. Consequently film exhaustion indicator shutter 52 is operated, as already described with reference to the standard film, to notify the operator of the exact last frame filmed. Continued operation of the camera feeds the remainder of the film therethrough and onto reel l'l.

Portion B of film I3 is the length of film which extends from roller 46 (Fig. 1) to point l behind the lens at the instant shutter 52 is actuated. Hence, portion A of the film will contain the last frame or scene filmed at the instant shutter 52 is closed. End portions B, C and D of the film are of sufiicient length to encircle the main exposed portion of the film on reel I! a number of times, and thus protect the main portion of the film from being light struck when reel I1 is removed from the camera. This assures the operator that a perfect recording of the picture, up to and including the last frame at point A, will appear on the film when developed.

Application of the invention to other types of motion picture cameras, and also various changes in and modifications of the particular mechanism employed, are contemplated as within the scope of this invention, except as the same may be limited by the appended claims.

What is claimed is: I

1. In a motion picture camera, the combination of an unexposed film holder; an exposed film holder to which a. film is adapted to be fed from the unexposed film holder; a view finder; a shutter movable into and out of an operative, signaling position in which it obstructs, at least in part, the view through said finder to indicate exhaustion of the film, restrainable means constantly urging said shutter towards said signaling position; and film controllable means for engaging the film between said film holders to restrain said urging means to maintain the shutter out of signaling position.

2. In a motion picture camera, a lens; a film amaeee on the shaft pivotally connected .at its outer end to said shutter, a second arm on the shaft having a finger bearing on said film section, and a spring urging said finger against the film and said indicating means towards operative position, whereby the indicating means are adapted to be operated by the spring upon movement of the film out of eng ment with said finger.

3. The combination in a motion picture camera having a casing, a lens and means for feeding a film past the lens. of a view finder; means to foldably mount the view finder on the exterior of the casing; movable means in the finder for indicating when the film is exhausted; and means on the finder engageable with the indicat- 5 ing means to fold the indicating means with the finder.

4. The combination in a motion picture camera having a casing, a lens and means for feeding a film past the lens, of a view finder; means to foldably mount the view finder on the exterior of the casing; movable means in the finder for indicating when the film is exhausted; means on the finder engageable with the indicating means to fold the indicating means with the finder; and

means for repositioning said indicating means ready for operation upon movement of the finder from folded to operating position.

5. In a motion picture camera, the combination of an unexposed film holder; an exposed film 40 holder to which a film is adapted to be fed from the unexposed film holder; aviewfinder; ashutter movable into and out of an operative, signaling position in which it obstructs, at least in'part, the view through said finder to indicate exhaustion of the ism-1. restrainable means coantly urging said shutter towards said position; a film operatively arrangm in the era on the film holders, said film has a notch in one edge thereof spaced a tame is the inner extremity of the in" suitable length of a1": b t m w i said end of the film to be wound on the in" on the exposm film holder for protective purposes;

and film controllable means including a mr engagingthe film between said holders to normally restrain said urging means to maintain the shutter out-of signaling position, said film engaging member and said notch being alined with each other lengthwise of the film to permit passage of said member through the notch upon its arrival opposite said member, whereby said urging means may move the shutter into signaling position.

6. The combination set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said restrainable means in-' cludes spring means constantly urging the shutter towards signaling position, and that the film controllable means comprises a member constantly urged by said spring means in a direction for engaging the film holders.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said restrainable means includes spring means constantly urging g the shutter towards signaling position; that the film controllable means comprises a member constantly urged by said spring means in a direction for engaging one side of the film between said film holders; and that a pair of spaced 3' film guiding elements is provided for engaging the opposite side of the film at either side of said film engaging member, whereby, upon movement of the film from between the film engaging memher and the guiding elements, said film engaging 1 member will pass between the guiding elements and thus permit said urging means to move the shutter to signaling position.

THOMAS W.

scient to provide a between said film "i 

